Why do you care if people believe your god tales?

[Zzyzx]

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Why do you care if people believe your god tales?

From a current thread:

Holding a negative view of atheists seems to be a requirement to bolster up some theologies. Holding a realistic view would cause to many cherished doctrines to crash to the ground.

"It is all a big conspiracy. The five percent (5%) who are Atheists are ganged up against we seventy percent (70%) who are Christians -- and they have a bunch of smart people and scientists on their side."

Of course, the spread of non-belief threatens the livelihood and status of preachers. But, why does it seem to so upset everyday believers? Does disbelief of others affect their own beliefs?

[Muffinmayne]

[Replying to Zzyzx in post #1]

I don’t think anyone is upset by atheist just existing nor do I think atheist are upset religious people are just existing. People get upset when others try to sway or push their beliefs on others.

Why Christians insist people believe? I would say the most important thing is they don’t want you to end up in hell?

[Sojournerofthearth]

The Gospels even have Jesus telling us that it's not important to believe in him or in his words.

Where is that?

Why is it that Christians never know what's in the Bible?

John 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world

I would have been more inclined to use these scriptures.

And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. (Matthew 13:10-15)

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
(1 Corinthians 15:22-24)

Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD. (Ezekiel 37:12-14)

[Zzyzx]

I don’t think anyone is upset by atheist just existing nor do I think atheist are upset religious people are just existing. People get upset when others try to sway or push their beliefs on others.

In these debates, it appears as though many religious people become very upset, emotional, and even hostile when told “I don't believe your god tales.”

Why Christians insist people believe? I would say the most important thing is they don’t want you to end up in hell?

If there was legitimate danger of 'hell', that position might have some merit.

However, 'hell' cannot be / has not been shown to be anything more than an imaginary construct produced by religion promoters (and used as a threat to coerce belief in their tales) – a sales pitch – “Take my word for it (or his) and do as we say or suffer extreme consequences.”

How is that sales pitch different from “Worship Quetzalcoatl or suffer eternally after you die”?

[Muffinmayne]

[Replying to Zzyzx in post #63]

I could literally say the same about you, you post seems very emotional and overly passionate. I don’t actually believe that but I could say that.

Hell may not be real it may be, but if the question is why they act the way they do the answer is because they don’t want you to go to hell, Christians believe hell to be real.

[Tcg]

Hell may not be real it may be, but if the question is why they act the way they do the answer is because they don’t want you to go to hell, Christians believe hell to be real.

Correction: Some Christians believe hell to be real. You'll find quite a few who frequent this forum who don't.


Tcg

[Muffinmayne]

[Replying to Tcg in post #65]

This is true some Christians believe it’s not literal, some probably believe it doesn’t exist at all. Needless to say, hell is probably the most common reason people would want someone to believe in Christianity. Can’t speak for all tho.

[Zzyzx]

[Replying to Zzyzx in post #63]
I could literally say the same about you, you post seems very emotional and overly passionate. I don’t actually believe that but I could say that.

Of course, anyone can SAY / write whatever they wish (within Forum Rules). However, making false or misleading statements tends to destroy one's credibility.

It seems to me as though several who debate here (not referring to you) do not consider their credibility with readers to be of any importance -- and say anything trying to make a 'point'.

[Muffinmayne]

[Replying to Zzyzx in post #67]

I don’t find debates to productive if people can’t be honest. If my beliefs can’t stand on their own then I probably shouldn’t hold those beliefs. I see it on both sides. Exaggerations and lies, both sides do it.

But again, people, Christians, myself find it important that people believe because of hell but there’s also many other reasons, I just think hell is the easiest to talk about.

[Zzyzx]

[Replying to Zzyzx in post #67]

I don’t find debates to productive if people can’t be honest.

We are in complete agreement regarding honesty.

I am disappointed when observing dishonest and/or disreputable tactics used in debate (and have seen plenty over the years as a member and as a moderator).

If my beliefs can’t stand on their own then I probably shouldn’t hold those beliefs.

Likewise. If anything I consider true and accurate is shown to be faulty, I am VERY willing to reexamine my position and modify to incorporate better information or abandon the position to be replaced with something more appropriate.

I see it on both sides. Exaggerations and lies, both sides do it.

If you ever see any exaggeration or lies (false statements) in my posts, call me on it.

But again, people, Christians, myself find it important that people believe because of hell but there’s also many other reasons, I just think hell is the easiest to talk about.

I understand that many Christians believe that 'hell' exists and is a threat to humans who do not adhere to their god concepts.

Often that comes across as an attitude of having superior knowledge / information / wisdom – a delusion of superiority. Claims to that effect have been made in these threads.

I appreciate your reasoned (not fanatical) position. It is similar to that of Christians I consider friends here in the Bible Belt – several of whom are ministers. We do NOT discuss religion (and they make no attempt to 'save' or 'convert' me).

In these debates it seems as though the most vocal and adamant theistic voices are those of fanatics who present a very unappealing (and unsuccessful) attempt to 'slay the infidel' – as can be seen in some current threads. Many seem unable to accept “I don't believe your god tales” – and really bristle when asked to provide verifiable information to support claims and stories presented as truth.

[brunumb]

Hell may not be real it may be, but if the question is why they act the way they do the answer is because they don’t want you to go to hell, Christians believe hell to be real.

I wonder how many Christians really feel that way, except for maybe family and friends. In fact, the way family and friends who lose their faith are often treated I would think the opposite may be the case.